A store
might end up stocking a product that doesnít sell for whatever
reason -- do that enough times and itís very costly.

We women are picky (well, I am) and want a certain look,
and itís impossible for shops to carry a little bit of
everything.

It is still frustrating when I want to try
something on that isn't in the store, but now at least I understand the complexities
involved.

This is where gear reviews come in handy -- a rider can
get an idea of the quality and fit of a product before
making a purchase. Reviewing motorcycle gear is a dirty job, but
someone has to do it and Iím willing to make that
sacrifice (yes, all my motorcycling friends hate me)!

Sizing and Construction

In my opinion, the AGV Sport Venus Leather Jacket runs
true to size based on their sizing chart and my
measurements; I ordered a size small and it fits well.

Designed specifically for women, the Venus Jacket is
definitely not a down-sized menís cut. Princess seams
(rounded seams in womenís tops) form a close fit that
compliments womenís figures. Velcro waist tabs let the
rider make adjustments.

The sleeve length is great and the pre-curved
construction means a comfortable fit without bunching
when riding. The cuffs stay securely closed with 5.5
inch (14 cm) long zippers and snap closures; replacement
snaps are included.
On my Venus Jacket, the inside circumference of the
cuffs is 7.75 inches (19.7 cm) and the cuffs are narrow
enough to fit under many gauntlet gloves.

Zippered chest intake vents and back exhaust vents are
well-placed for maximum airflow. The 100% polyester mesh
lining has leather pieces sewn into the underarm seams
to prevent ripping.
The vents and mesh lining will get a rider through warm
weather, but this is not a hot weather jacket --
although a great deal depends on the rider.

For
instance, I get cold easily and in 62 degree (16
Celsius) weather with just a T-shirt underneath, I
actually got a little chilled with all the vents closed;
others might have been comfortable in those conditions.

The waist on AGV Sport Venus Leather Jacket is slightly
longer in the back than the front, but not by much. The
back of the jacket is approximately 2 inches (5.1 cm)
shorter than other jackets Iíve reviewed.
When I wore this jacket with my low-rise riding pants I
didnít have as much back coverage as Iíd have liked
riding my Ninja 500. A high-waist riding pant may pair
better with the Venus Jacket.

A moisture-wicking neck liner at the back of the banded
collar adds more comfort. The AGV Sport logo is
embroidered on the collar and appliquťd in leather on
the sleeves and lower back.

If youíre going to zoom your body along at 75 MPH with
only a motorcycle between you and the pavement and other vehicles, youíd be wise to invest in protective
gear. The cost of gear is small when compared to medical
bills or even worse, the priceless cost of a life.

Iím probably preaching to the choir, since youíre reading
this articleÖso Iíll get to what youíre waiting for:
What does the AGV Sport Venus Leather Jacket have to
offer?

For starters, the Venus Jacket is made with 1.1 mm to
1.3 mm thick leather, with the thinner leather over the body
and thicker leather over impact areas. The main seams
are stitched multiple times to help prevent tearing.

Included are removable CE-approved shoulder and elbow
armor and a 1 cm thick foam back pad for increased
protection.

Iím fanatical about night-time visibility and the AGV
Sport Venus Leather Jacket does not disappoint. The back
and front of the jacket contain 3M reflective piping
which becomes bright under lights.

Rounding out the protective features, there is a waist
connection zipper for attachment to riding pants; this
helps keep your back covered during rides and in the
event of a slide. If the zipper doesnít connect to your
favorite riding pant, simply remove the bottom portion
of the jacketís zipper and sew that piece to any pant
below the back waistband.

Zippers and Pockets

Thereís no shortage of pockets on the AGV Sport Venus
jacket. The two hand-warming pockets are
slightly shallow for me -- I canít get my hands all the
way inside them, but then again, I have large hands.

However, there are three large pockets on the inside. A
vertical zipped pocket is 6 inches (15.2 cm) long and
5.75 inches (14.6 cm) deep. A non-zipped horizontal
pocket (sometimes called a map pocket) measures 6.5
inches (16.5 cm) wide and 7 inches (17.8 cm) deep.

Last, but not least, there is a zipped, waterproof media
pocket with additional pockets inside it for a cell
phone and iPod, including an opening and tab for
tangle-free earphone use.
All zippers are YKK and the main zipper has a custom
pull tab imprinted with the AGV Sport logo.

The AGV Sport Venus Leather Jacket is another fine
example of a well-made, armored leather jacket designed
specifically for women.

Leather and CE-approved armor offer optimum protection
while princess seams and colored panels flatter womenís
curves. If youíre looking for an understated yet
eye-catching jacket, you may have just found it.